The Underneath

This book is a Newbery Honor Book

Summary: Ranger, the abused dog of Gar Face, lives underneath the porch, chained and nearly starving. A mother cat, also neglected, wanders into the Underneath and quickly the two become friends. Mother Cat gives birth to two kittens, Sabine and Puck, who are warned to never venture out from the Underneath, as Gar Face is an evil man. But Puck is curious and one day he disobeys and is swept up by Gar Face. Mother Cat, going to his rescue is also swept up. Gar Face puts them in a sack and throws them in the river. Only Puck survives. Left on his own to find his way home he encounters many obstacles. Meanwhile, Ranger and Sabine must escape from Gar Face by venturing out from the Underneath.

Personal Reflection: I'm not a big fan of books about talking animals but this book was amazing. It was haunting. I loved the way the author used the language and just the overall tone and voice as well. There are several stories going on at once. There is the ancient Alligator King, over 100 feet long, friends with Grandmother, a water moccasin shape shifter. Grandmother seeks revenge for the loss of her daughter, Night Song. This tale, woven throughout the story of Ranger, Sabine, and lost Puck, almost gives the book a magical feel. The writing is so beautiful, I just knew this author was going to have a wonderful way of bringing everything together. And she did. Simply beautiful. It is beautifully crafted and although the stories seem to have nothing to do with one another it all comes together in a suspenseful and heart-breaking ending. My daughter read the book after I told her how good it was. Her comment? "I wanted to scoop up Ranger and the cats and punch that evil Gar Face in the head." (me too!)

Appelt, K. (). The underneath.